News Archive

The Science Steering Committee (SSC) of the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) program announced today the selection of Caspar Ammann, PhD to serve as the new SEARCH SSC Chair. Dr. Ammann will assume the duties of his new role in November 2015.

As the SEARCH SSC Chair, Dr. Ammann will lead the Science Steering Committee’s efforts to ensure the program is achieving its vision, mission and long-term science goals by providing oversight and guidance to the SEARCH Project Office and Action Teams.

As part of the IARPC Terestrial Ecosystems Colloboration Team (TECT) meeting on 18 September 2015, Ted Schuur presented on the permafrost carbon synthesis work being done by the Permafrost Carbon Network and the SEARCH Permafrost Action Team.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) posted a preliminary announcement on 15 September that Arctic sea ice reached its likely minimum extent for 2015 of 4.41 million square kilometers on 11 September. This is the fourth lowest minimum in the satellite record. NSIDC scientists will release a full analysis of the Arctic melt season in early October. Further information is available on the NSIDC's Arctic Sea Ice News and Analysis web page: http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/.

As a reminder, this NSIDC announcement is for the daily minimum extent, while the Sea Ice Outlook (SIO) uses the September average.

ARCUS is currently accepting applications for an Executive/Program Assistant. This position will perform a wide range of complex and confidential administrative and executive support duties including support to ARCUS staff in logistical planning of meetings. Application review will begin 10 September 2015 but the position will remain open until filled.

Follow us on twitter @ArcticResearch, hashtag #GLACIER, for updates on the Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience (GLACIER) Conference in Anchorage on 31 August 2015.

Dr. Eicken joined the international array of foreign ministers and high-level leaders attending the U.S. State Department's conference on Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience (GLACIER) in Anchorage, AK on Aug 30-31 to discuss Arctic science priorities for an Arctic Observing Network.

Presentation Video:

Sea Ice Action Team Co-Chair, Jennifer Francis, will be the plenary speaker for the Implications of a Changing Arctic on Water Resources and Agriculture in the Central U.S. workshop taking place at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's School of Natural Resources on November 10, 2015 from 7-9pm.

The goal of the workshop is to build public awareness on the importance of the Arctic and the implications of changes in this region for the central U.S. The workshop is sponsored by NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System, USDA's Office of the Chief Economist and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's School of Natural Resources.

The Science Steering Committee (SSC) of the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) program has announced the selection of Brendan Kelly, PhD as its new Executive Director. Dr. Kelly will assume the duties of his new role on 21 September 2015.

As SEARCH Executive Director, Dr. Kelly will work with the SEARCH SSC to provide leadership and strategic direction to the SEARCH program and to forge strong cooperative relationships between academia, agencies, and stakeholders.

The Sea Ice Prediction Network (SIPN) announces the release of the 2015 August Sea Ice Outlook (SIO). There were 38 (including one regional only) contributions—again a new record for the total number of submissions. Contributions were based on a range of methods: statistical, dynamical models, estimates based on trends, and subjective information. The median August Outlook for September 2015 Arctic sea ice extent is 4.8 million square kilometers (km2), 200,000 km2 lower than the June and July medians. This is the last monthly SIO report for the 2015 season. Post-season activities will provide an analysis of the different Outlook methodologist as well as a general review of sea ice dynamics over the summer. For more information, contact Betsy Turner-Bogren (betsy [at] arcus.org).

Registration and abstract submission is now open for the Arctic Observing Open Science Meeting. The meeting will be held 17-19 November 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The open meeting will provide an opportunity to present and discuss scientific findings and advances resulting from Arctic observing projects funded by federal, state, and local agencies, and private and non-profit organizations.

SEARCH Action Team Leader, Fiamma Straneo, was a guest this month on NPR's Science Friday news program. Listen to Fiamma discuss the important role Greenland's glaciers play in the changing Arctic with program host Ira Flatow here (Fiamma joins the program at 14:18).

The Sea Ice Prediction Network (SIPN) announces a call for Sea Ice Outlook (SIO) contributions to the August report (based on May, June, and July data). The SIO provides an open process for those interested in Arctic sea ice to share predictions and ideas about the monthly September minimum sea ice extent. Join a growing network of sea ice experts and contribute a pan-Arctic, regional, or informal Outlook. Submission deadline: Monday, 10 August 2015.

The Sea Ice Prediction Network (SIPN) announces the release of the July Arctic Sea Ice Outlook. We received 35 contributions, surpassing last month’s record number of submissions! The submissions use a range of methods including statistical, numerical models, trend-based estimates, and subjective information. The median Outlook value for September 2015 sea ice extent is 5.0 million square kilometers (km²), which is the same as June’s prediction. The overall range is 3.3 to 5.7 million km² (with the exception of one 0.98 km² outlying estimate). This month’s report also includes a discussion about the 11 dynamical model contributions as well as sections on regional predictions and the current conditions of the sea ice.

PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) is currently accepting applications. Researchers are invited to submit an application for expeditions during the 2016 (usually Arctic) or 2016-2017 (usually Antarctic) field seasons.

The Sea Ice Prediction Network (SIPN) announces plans to convene a Sea Ice Prediction Workshop tentatively scheduled for 4-6 May 2016 at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University. This workshop will focus on sea ice prediction on sub-seasonal to inter-annual timescales. Organizers welcome participants with interests in research and operational forecasting. Forecast users are especially encouraged to attend. Outcomes of the meeting will include recommendations for the Sea Ice Outlook and other activities related to sea ice prediction. More specific meeting goals will be available closer to the event. To stay informed about this meeting, please subscribe to the SIPN mailing list. For questions, contact Betsy Turner-Bogren (betsy [at] arcus.org).

SEARCH and the Polar Research Board announce a call for abstract submissions to a general session of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2015 Fall Meeting on the effects of system-wide Arctic change (Session #8477). The meeting will be held in San Francisco 14-18 December. The abstract submission deadline is 5 August 2015. For more information, contact Sea Ice Action Team co-lead Jennifer Francis (francis [at] imcs.rutgers.edu).

Registration is now available for a SIPN webinar entitled "Industry Needs for Seasonal and Sub-seasonal Sea Ice Information and Predictions." This webinar will provide a brief overview of contrasts and commonalities between sea ice variables relevant for geophysical or climate research and those relevant for operational needs in Arctic seas. It is scheduled for Tuesday, 11 August 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. AKDT. For more information, contact Betsy Turner-Bogren at ARCUS (betsy [at] arcus.org).

Igor Polyakov et al. seek public comment on a white paper summarizing the concept of an experimental program drafted by participants of an open workshop entitled "Observations of upper-ocean and sea-ice interactions in the eastern Arctic Ocean," which convened 24-25 April 2014. More information about the workshop is available here. The deadline for public comments is Friday, 24 July. Comments and questions should be directed to Igor Polyakov (igor [at] iarc.uaf.edu).

To download a pdf of the White Paper and an Executive Summary, please see Sea Ice Prediction Network (SIPN) Related Efforts.

The Sea Ice Prediction Network announces a call for Sea Ice Outlook (SIO) contributions to the July report—based on May and June data. The Sea Ice Outlook provides an open process for those interested in Arctic sea ice to share predictions and ideas about the monthly September minimum sea ice extent. Join a growing network of sea ice experts and contribute a pan-Arctic, regional, or informal Outlook.

The 2015 Sea Ice Outlook (SIO) - June Report received great media coverage by the Alaska Dispatch News. In an article, posted on 25 June, reporter Yareth Rosen provides a summary of the SIO goals and process, range of methods contributors used, links to Sea Ice Prediction Network (SIPN) and associated agencies, and the June median outlook for sea ice extent in September -- converted to square miles (1.93 million square miles).

We received a record 32 contributions using a range of methods including statistical, numerical models, trend-based estimates, and subjective information. The median Outlook value for September 2015 sea ice extent is 5.0 million square kilometers, and predictions fall in a range of 3.3 to 5.7 km² (with the exception of one 0.98 km² outlying estimate). This month’s report also includes a discussion about the 11 dynamical model contributions as well as sections on regional predictions and the current conditions of the sea ice.

The SIPN 2014 Sea Ice Action Team members Julienne Stroeve, Ed Blanchard-Wrigglesworth, Virginie Guemas, Stephen Howell, François Massonnet, and Steffen Tietsche published a discussion of the 2014 Sea Ice Outlook and forecasting skill of models that predict the extent and other characteristics of Arctic sea ice cover. Their article "Improving Prediction of Arctic Sea Ice Extent" is published in EOS.

The Spring 2015 issue of Witness the Arctic is now published online. This issue includes an ARCUS Member Highlight of the Smithsonian Institution’s Arctic Studies Center; updates on the SEARCH program, related activities, and research; news about recent appointments to the NSF Division of Polar Programs; reports from Arctic natural and social science, data, education, and public outreach projects and interagency programs; updates from USARC, the Polar Research Board, ICARP III, and ASSW; an introduction of ARCUS’ new Executive Director, Robert Rich, from the ARCUS Board President; and a note from Dr. Rich to the community.

The Sea Ice Prediction Network announces the launch of the 2015 Sea Ice Outlook season with the first call for contributions for the June report! The Sea Ice Outlook provides an open process for those interested in Arctic sea ice to share predictions and ideas about the monthly September minimum sea ice extent. Join a growing network of sea ice experts and contribute a pan-Arctic, regional, or informal Outlook.

ARCUS has a new submission form available for ArcticInfo, our moderated mailing list that keeps over 6,000 people in the Arctic community informed about funding opportunities, new resources, upcoming meetings, job openings, and more. The submission form provides an easy way for the community to submit announcements and make sure that all relevant information is included.

If you have an announcement that you want distributed, either use the submission form (recommended!) or email list [at] arcus.org.